Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea

NEW

✓ Ships in 1–5 days How we ship your plants

Size

3 gallon

$115.00

Discount level Cart total

Free Shipping

$249+

10% off any 2 items BUY2GET10

Save $50

$350+

Save $125

$750+

Save $300

$1,500+

Save $500

$2,500+

Save $750

$3,250+

Save $1,000

$4,000+

Sale ends 10/31 at 11:59PM CST

SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES

SUNLIGHT
Grows best in full sun to partial shade. Provide several hours of direct sunlight for strong growth and abundant flowering, with some afternoon shade beneficial in hotter climates.

WATER
Water when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry, approximately once or twice per week during establishment. Once established, water during extended hot or dry periods and avoid consistently saturated soil. Watering needs vary based on climate, rainfall, soil, sunlight, drainage, and establishment phase.

IDEAL CLIMATE
Best suited for Zones 3–8. Vanilla Strawberry™ is exceptionally cold hardy and performs especially well in climates with warm summers followed by cooler late-summer and fall nights, which can encourage richer pink and red flower coloring.

Vanilla Strawberry™ flowers do not emerge pink or strawberry red. The blooms begin creamy white in midsummer and gradually develop pink and then deeper strawberry-red tones as they mature. Because new white flowers continue opening while older flowers change color, a mature plant can display white, pink, and red flowers simultaneously.

Flower color varies with climate and growing conditions. Cooler nighttime temperatures help develop the deeper pink and strawberry-red tones. In warmer climates with mild nights, the flowers may remain lighter or develop less intense red coloring.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea, scientifically known as Hydrangea paniculata 'Renhy' PP20,670, is a showy panicle hydrangea known for its enormous, color-changing flower clusters. Blooms emerge creamy white in midsummer, transition to pink as temperatures cool, and eventually deepen to a rich strawberry red, often creating multiple colors on the same plant at once. Its upright habit, red stems, and long-lasting flowers make it an excellent choice for flowering hedges, foundation plantings, garden borders, and cut flower gardens.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate to fast growth rate. Reaches approximately 6–7 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide at maturity.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water your newly planted Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea when the top 2–3 inches of soil begin to dry, typically about once or twice per week during establishment. Once established, water less frequently but provide supplemental water during extended periods of heat or drought. Avoid allowing the root zone to become excessively dry or remain consistently saturated. There is no fixed watering schedule, so always check the soil first and adjust based on climate, rainfall, temperature, sunlight exposure, soil type, drainage, and establishment phase.

Vanilla Strawberry™ grows best in full sun to partial shade. Plenty of sunlight encourages strong growth and abundant flowering, while some afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING
Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged branches and lightly shape the plant as needed. Vanilla Strawberry™ blooms on new wood, so early spring pruning will not remove the upcoming season's flower buds.

FERTILIZING
Avoid fertilizing for the first 2–3 months after delivery to allow the plant to adjust and establish. Once established, apply a balanced fertilizer in spring or early summer if needed. Avoid fertilizing in fall or winter.

WINTER PROTECTION
Vanilla Strawberry™ is very cold hardy and generally requires little winter protection once established within Zones 3–8. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it several inches away from the stems. Because it flowers on new growth, winter damage to older stems typically has less impact on flowering than it does with old-wood hydrangeas.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a location with full sun to partial shade and moist, well-draining soil. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than the root ball itself. Remove the nursery pot and gently loosen any tightly bound or circling roots. Position the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with or slightly above the surrounding soil. Backfill using only the native soil removed from the planting hole without adding compost, peat moss, sand, rock, or other amendments directly to the hole. Gently firm the soil and water slowly and deeply throughout the root ball and surrounding soil. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the root zone, keeping mulch several inches away from the stems.

Space Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangeas approximately 5–6 feet apart to accommodate their mature width. For a fuller hedge or mass planting, they can be positioned somewhat closer depending on the desired finished look.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 3-8

Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea grows well throughout USDA Zones 3–8 and is exceptionally cold hardy for a flowering shrub. It performs especially well in cool and temperate climates, where cooler nighttime temperatures can help its flowers develop richer pink and strawberry-red coloring. It also tolerates summer heat within its recommended range when provided with adequate moisture. In warmer climates, afternoon shade can help protect the plant from intense heat while still providing enough sunlight for abundant flowering.

Important: USDA Hardiness Zones only measure a plant's cold tolerance. They do not account for heat tolerance, humidity, rainfall, or other climate factors. Always consider your local growing conditions in addition to your USDA Zone when selecting plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big does Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea get?

Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea reaches approximately 6–7 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide at maturity. It develops an upright habit that can become more cascading later in the season as its enormous flower clusters mature.

How fast does Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea grow?

Vanilla Strawberry™ has a moderate to fast growth rate and can typically grow approximately 1–2 feet per year once established under favorable conditions. Actual growth varies depending on sunlight, climate, moisture, soil, and overall plant health.

Where is the best place to plant Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea?

Plant Vanilla Strawberry™ in full sun to partial shade with moist, well-draining soil. It works beautifully as a flowering hedge, specimen shrub, foundation planting, or backdrop in a mixed garden border. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can help reduce heat stress.

How far apart should I plant Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangeas?

Space Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangeas approximately 5–6 feet apart, center to center, to accommodate their mature width. For a denser flowering hedge, they can be planted somewhat closer depending on the desired finished look.

When does Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea bloom?

Vanilla Strawberry™ typically begins blooming in midsummer and continues providing color into fall. New flowers emerge as older blooms mature, helping create its signature multicolored appearance.

What color are Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea flowers?

The flowers begin creamy white, gradually turn pink, and eventually develop rich strawberry-red coloring. Since new blooms continue opening while older flowers change color, white, pink, and red flowers can appear on the plant at the same time.

Why isn't my Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea turning red?

The development of deep pink and strawberry-red coloring is influenced by temperature and growing conditions. Cooler nighttime temperatures encourage stronger coloration, so plants grown in warmer climates may develop softer pink tones or take longer to deepen in color.

Does Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea bloom on old or new wood?

Vanilla Strawberry™ blooms on new wood, meaning flowers develop on stems produced during the current growing season. This makes late winter or early spring the ideal time for pruning.

Can Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea be used as a hedge?

Yes. Its upright habit, mature size, dense foliage, and enormous flower clusters make Vanilla Strawberry™ an excellent choice for an informal flowering hedge or privacy planting.

Does soil pH change the color of Vanilla Strawberry™ Hydrangea?

No. Unlike many bigleaf hydrangeas, the flower color of Vanilla Strawberry™ is not changed from pink to blue by soil pH. Its white-to-pink-to-red progression is part of the natural aging process of the flowers and is influenced more by temperature and growing conditions.

More Details

*SHIPPING DETAILS

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

1 YEAR GUARANTEE

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

SHIPPING TO CALIFORNIA? HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag. Some Jumbo plants may be carefully removed from their nursery pot and burlapped to protect the rootball and ensure safe transit.
Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.